Ronaldo Brazil's young star wants to show he's not washed up at

ULSAN, South Korea -- Ronaldo would love to talk about soccer, just soccer. But the questions nearly always are about something else.

"Everything that's written or said about me is about the injury," the star striker said.

Ronaldo is fed up with the queries about his rebuilt knee, how he feels, how he's holding up, and whether he can regain his old form in time to lead Brazil in the World Cup.

The question few put into words is: Is the two-time FIFA Player of the Year a has-been at 25?

Ronaldo denies he's finished, and he expects to put that question to rest.

"Now I have a chance to give them something else to talk about," he said. "I hope they'll talk about me as a player."

As a teen-ager Ronaldo captured the imagination of soccer lovers everywhere. Outscoring Pele at age 17, he earned a berth on Brazil's 1994 World Cup championship team. He then went on to star for Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven, Spain's FC Barcelona and Inter Milan, where he was dubbed "The Phenomenon."

But his body began betraying him at the 1998 World Cup in France. He complained of knee pain throughout the tournament, and mysterious convulsions hours before the title match left him weak and powerless in France's 3-0 victory.

Months later, he was sidelined by knee surgery.

His first comeback attempt ended after seven minutes when a knee ligament snapped and he crumpled to the turf, screaming in pain. Another operation and more long months of recuperation followed, leaving fans to wonder whetherhe would ever be the same.

Ronaldo says, at last, he is ready to answer.

Last Saturday, he scored Brazil's first goal in a 4-0 romp over Malaysia in a World Cup warmup. It was his first goal for the national team since July 1999.

His teammates are convinced Ronaldo is back and as good as ever.

"Ronaldo will gain confidence as the Cup goes on," Roberto Carlos said. "He has the experience and all the skill to help us go far."